(a)
An employing broker or corporate designated broker officer may appoint a licensee as a manager of a branch office or division of the employing broker’s or employing corporate designated broker officer’s real estate business and delegate to the appointed manager the responsibility to oversee day-to-day operations, supervise the licensed activities of licensees, and supervise clerical staff employed in the branch office or division.
(b)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a), nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the responsibilities of an employing broker or a corporate designated broker officer pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 10177. A licensee accepting appointment as a manager shall be
subject to disciplinary action pursuant to Section 10165 for failure to properly supervise licensed activity pursuant to subdivision (a).
(c)
Appointment of a manager shall only be made by means of a written contract in which the manager accepts the delegated responsibility. The appointing employing broker or corporate designated broker officer shall retain a copy of the contract and send a notice to the department, in a form approved by the commissioner, identifying the appointed manager and the branch office or division the manager is appointed to supervise.
(d)
A licensee shall not be appointed as a manager if any of the following apply:
(1)
The licensee holds a restricted license.
(2)
The licensee is or has been subject to an order of debarment.
(3)
The licensee is a salesperson with less than two years of full-time real estate experience within five years preceding the appointment.
(e)
Whenever an appointment of a branch manager is terminated or changed, the employing broker or corporate designated broker officer shall immediately notify the commissioner thereof in writing.
(f)
This section shall become operative on July 1, 2012.